Euonymus fortunei plant named `Duncanata Variegated Vegeta`

ABSTRACT

This new cultivar of Euonymus fortunei originated as a branch sport of the all-green `Vegeta` variety (non-patented in the United States). The new cultivar combines the relatively large and broad leaf characteristics as well as the hardiness of the parent `Vegeta` variety with attractive variegated foliage. Plants of the new cultivar have generally wide and irregular whitish-cream leaf margins that commonly cover approximately 20 to 60 percent of the leaf area. This distinctive margin coloration surrounds and occasionally penetrates the leaf centers that are of marbled green and deep forest green. This atypical leaf character gives the new cultivar a characteristically lush and luminous, and artistic appearance. The appearance of the new cultivar is further enhanced by the presence of distinctive whitish stems, and occasionally by a few pearl-like whitish capsules which expose orange-red arils upon dehiscence. The new cultivar exhibits substantially the same form and growth habit as the `Vegeta` variety with the exception that it is slower growing and somewhat smaller in size for a given age. This renders it particularly well suited for growing as a clinging and climbing vine to cover surfaces such as a masonry wall, fence, trellis or tree; as a mounding groundcover; or as a low-spreading shrub when an older plant is selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered and selected by me in 1963 in BattleCreek, Mich. from within a planting of the `Vegeta` variety of Euonymusfortunei which was climbing and providing cover for a wall. Such`Vegeta` variety typically exhibits all green foliage. One particularbranch of a plant of the `Vegeta` variety was found and collected by medue to its remarkably different leaf and stem coloration from the restof the plant. This mutation or sport was of unknown causation. Had thisdistinctive branch not been discovered, studied and preserved by me, itwould have been lost to mankind. It has been found that the new cultivarof the present invention exhibits the following characteristics:

(a) forms ovate to very broadly ovate and broad elliptic to orbicularleaves having a satiny luster and a leathery texture as the `Vegeta`variety (non-patented in the United States) which tend to be larger thanthose of most other Euonymus fortunei plants,

(b) forms distinctive wide irregular whitish-cream or sometimes creamleaf margins which surround and penetrate into marbled green and deepforest green leaf centers,

(c) forms new growth stems of greenish-white which deepen towhitish-green before becoming woody,

(d) is less profuse blooming than the `Vegeta` variety,

(e) is slower growing and somewhat smaller in overall size at a givenage than the `Vegeta` variety while exhibiting generally the sameclimbing and spreading growth habit as the `Vegeta` variety, and

(f) exhibits good winter hardiness.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings at Battle Creek,Mich. beginning in 1963 has shown that the distinctive characteristicsof the new cultivar are stable and are firmly fixed from one generationto another.

The new cultivar of the present invention has been named `DuncanataVariegated Vegeta`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character,typical specimens of the new cultivar. The illustrated plants were grownoutdoors in unimproved sandy loam soil at Battle Creek, Mich.

FIG. 1 illustrates a group of supported plants of the new cultivarincluding the original plant that was rooted in 1963. The climbingvining growth habit is apparent. The photograph was obtained atmid-morning during May, 1994 while using natural light.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fifteen year-old unsupported plant of the newcultivar which exhibits a height of approximately 22 inches and a widthof approximately 50 to 60 inches measured in the widest direction. Theleft-hand side of the plant is not included in the photograph and issimilar in appearance to the right-hand side that is illustrated. Thephotograph was obtained at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 7, 1997while using natural light.

FIG. 3 illustrates a four year-old plant of the new cultivar which hadbeen grown for two years in the cutting bed and two years in the field.The photograph was obtained during late afternoon in May, 1996 whileusing natural light. Older growth, spring growth, and the characteristicpale green stems which display a whitish appearance are shown.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cluster of orange-red arils of the new cultivar ona three month-old cutting. The cutting with its capsules was removedfrom a plant of the oldest plant group during August, 1996 and wasplaced in a cutting bed of unimproved sandy loam soil. The cuttingremoved in November, 1996 was found to be well rooted. It was thenpotted and taken to a photography studio where it was photographed understrobe lighting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Color values were obtained with the aid of the R.H.S. Colour Chart,Royal Horticultural Society, London, except where general color terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. Color values were taken atapproximately 2 p.m. Jan. 20, 1997 and at approximately 3 p.m. on May20, 1997 at Davie, Fla., and also at approximately 10:30 a.m. on May 27,1997 at East Lansing, Mich., all outdoors and in the shade. A few plantshad been relocated to Florida to confirm color values. These plants whenexpressed to a warmer climate during January were found to have abrighter, whiter margin color than what is typical for that time of yearwhen grown in Michigan.

Form and growth habit: It has been observed that the new cultivar hasapproximately the same climbing or spreading form and growth habit asthe parent `Vegeta` variety with the exception that it grows somewhatless vigorously and is commonly smaller in size than a plant of theparent variety of the same age. It will grow as a self-supportinggroundcover or low shrub with a spreading and bushy habit or as aclinging and climbing vine. When grown in a self-supporting form, aplant may be used as a mounding groundcover for foundation plantings,rock gardens, or low borders. An older plant may be used as a lowspreading shrub which is expected to eventually reach a height ofapproximately 21/2 feet when the side branches are pruned yearly to helpthe plant attain more height. When grown as the vining landscape form,the plant is expected to eventually reach a vertical height ofapproximately 15 feet, or more, if the leader stems find support onwhich branches can lean or rootlets can grasp, such as a masonry or rockwall, a fence, a trellis, or a tree. It has been observed that youngleader stems which encounter such support will commonly tend to climb.Young climbers may be trained, if desired. A climbing leader stem whentouching a vertical surface has been observed to grow approximately 3feet in a single growing season with 12-12-12 fertilization and withoutfertilization.

Two year plants.--The common height of a two year old unsupported plantin the cutting bed is approximately 4 to 7 inches and a common width isapproximately 3 to 6 inches.

Five year plants.--The common height of a five year-old unsupportedplant which has been groomed annually since its second or third year isapproximately 8 inches and a common width is approximately 10 to 12inches.

Seven year plants.--The common height of a seven year-old unsupportedshrub which has been heavily trimmed each year for the production ofcuttings is approximately 10 inches and a common width is approximately15 to 18 inches.

Ten year plants.--The common height of a ten year-old unsupported plantwhich has been heavily trimmed each year for production of cuttings isapproximately between 12 and 15 inches and a common width isapproximately 18 to 24 inches.

Foliage:

Type.--Broadleaf evergeen with petioled, opposite, and simple leaves.

Shape.--Does not appear to differ substantially from the parent `Vegeta`variety. The leaves commonly are ovate to very broadly ovate, and broadelliptic to orbicular and commonly have obtuse bases, apices are oftenobtuse, and have a blunt tip or are rounded as the parent `Vegeta`variety.

Petioles.--The length commonly is approximately 3 to 9 mm. The petiolecoloration was observed to be Green Group 141B both indoors underfluorescent lighting and outdoors in full sun at approximately 2 p.m. onOct. 23, 1998 at East Lansing, Mich.

Size.--Large. The leaf size commonly is larger than that of most othercultivars of Euonymus fortunei, and is generally comparable to that ofthe parent `Vegeta` variety. It commonly is broad, as is that of theparent `Vegeta` variety. A fully expanded leaf can vary up toapproximately 4.7 cm. in length on a two to fifteen year-old plant andup to approximately 5.6 cm. in length on a plant that is more thanfifteen years of age. The fully expanded leaf on a thirty-four year oldplant commonly has been observed to be approximately 1.7 to 5.0 cm inlength and approximately 1.2 to 3.8 cm. in width at the widest point. Afully expanded leaf on a five year-old plant that was weakened by scalehas been observed to be approximately 1.7 to 4.8 cm. in length andapproximately 1.2 to 2.9 cm. in width at the widest point. The smallerleaf sizes commonly occur on fast-growing leader stems.

Leaf texture.--Texture generally is leathery and glabrous, and theluster is satiny as are the leaves of the parent `Vegeta` variety.

Veining.--The midvein commonly is raised on the bottom surface of themedium to large-sized leaves, and on the top surface of most leaves themidvein commonly is raised on the proximal one-half of the leaf. On theupper surface of a mature leaf, the midvein is grey-green across leafareas that are of that color. This was Grey-Green Group 193A whenobserved outdoors in the shade on Oct. 20, 1998 at East Lansing, Mich.Where the midvein crosses green areas of the leaf, the color commonly isGreep Group 141B as observed at Davie, Fla. on Jan. 20, 1997.

Leaf margins.--Edges are serrate as those of the parent `Vegeta`variety.

Color.--Mature leaves, upper surface: The leaves of the new cultivar arevariegated unlike those of the parent `Vegeta` variety. Such variegationcommonly covers approximately 20 to 60 percent of the upper surface areawith whitish coloration. This coloration is luminous whitish-creamduring mild weather and slightly lighter than Yellow Group 4D at Davie,Fla. on Jan. 20, 1997. This tends to deepen slightly toward cream duringthe winter and was Yellow Group 10D at East Lansing, Mich. underfluorescent light on Nov. 1, 1996. This whitish-cream margin colorsurrounds the leaf center as an oftentimes very irregular border. It maybe found reaching towards the petiole of the leaf, and penetrating intothe green colors generally found at or near the leaf center. Thesegreens are more fully described as marbled, and as rounded or elongatedpatches and strands of various shades of green and deep forest green.The darkest shade was observed to be slightly darker than Green Group137A at Davie, Fla. on Jan. 20, 1997. Also, during the heat of thesummer, the faster growing leader stems have been observed tooccasionally form leaves with more green area and narrower whitish-creammargins than is common for this cultivar. Rarely yellowish-greencoloration has appeared as a small patch or spot averaging approximately2 to 3 mm. in size on the leaf. However, during the Fall of 1998 no suchcoloration has been observed. Mature leaves, under surface: On thebottom side of the mature leaf, the margin color was Yellow Group 8D atDavie, Fla. on Jan. 20, 1997. The greens of the under surface of theleaves are duller, paler, and show less contrast than those above, withthe darkest shade being Green Group 138B at Davie, Fla. on Jan. 20,1997. It has been observed that rarely some leaves assume a temporarypinkish coloration of the edges during the winter. Immature leaves,upper surface: The upper surface margin color of the slower growing newgrowth is commonly a pale cream which was between Yellow Group 4C andYellow Group 8D on newly opening leaves at Davie, Fla. on May 20, 1997.The deepest green found on such leaves was commonly Green Group 143B atDavie, Fla. on May 20, 1997. However, the coloration of many newlyformed young leaves in the springtime can be of a more yellow hue inboth creams and greens. This stronger coloration is not a common traitin new growth during other seasons. This coloration as observed on Dec.7, 1998 outdoors at East Lansing, Mich., was Red-Purple Group 57C nearthe tips of the leaves. Immature leaves, under surface: The undersurface margin color of the slower-growing new growth commonly wasobserved to be Yellow Group 4D on newly opening leaves at Davie, Fla. onMay 20, 1997. The deepest green was observed to be between Green Group138B and 138C at Davie, Fla. on May 20, 1997. The under surface colorson faster-growing new growth, most commonly seen in the springtime andinfrequently in the faster-growing new growth of other seasons, havepaler greens and both greens and creams are of a somewhat more yellowhue. A short stem of small, all-whitish-cream leaves will occasionallygrow from a plant of the new cultivar, as will also an occasional stemof all-green leaves.

Axillary buds: Conical, somewhat flattened and spear-shaped in fall andwinter, with a length up to approximately 5 mm. on a typical fouryear-old plant; and conical in the springtime.

Stems: Stems that have not yet become woody have a distinctive whitishappearance, unlike those of the parent `Vegeta` variety. They firstappear as a very pale greenish-white, which was Green-White Group 157Aat East Lansing, Mich. on May 27, 1997, and later become slightly moregreen, Yellow-Green Group 145C at East Lansing, Mich. on May 27, 1997.These stems are nearly round, have a slightly rough texture, and climbby fine masses of rootlets, as does the parent `Vegeta` variety. Where asprawling branch touches the ground, these rootlets may root into thesoil. The leaf internode length has shown itself to range approximatleythe same as that of the parent `Vegeta` variety, most commonly varyingfrom approximately one inch to approximately four or five inches betweenthe nodes of faster growing climbers. A woody stem of approximately fiveyears of age when observed outdoors at East Lansing, Mich., on Oct. 20,1998 exhibited a coloration of Brown Group 200B.

Flowers and fruits: Blooms and fruits are less abundant than those ofthe parent `Vegeta` variety. Flowers appear on both the vining form andon the self-supporting form. Healthy plants have been observed to bloomand bear fruit for the first time during its second year in the cuttingbed. Flower buds first appear about mid-May and the inconspicuousflowers open about mid- to late-June in southern Michigan, as do thoseof the parent `Vegeta` variety. They are a creamy color blending intopale greenish-cream centers. Flowers have been observed to occur inclusters of approximately 4 to 20 and capsules commonly occur inclusters of approximately 2 to 8. They commonly have long-peduncledcymes. Capsules and arils were observed at East Lansing, Mich. on Oct.20, 1998. Some capsules had not yet begun to split. The capsules thathad just begun to split displayed the orange-red of the underlying arilsthrough the seams of the capsules. The capsule coloration was observedto be Yellow-White Group 158B, and the aril coloration was observed tobe Orange-Red Group 30C. The seeds commonly have been found to beviable, but due to the use of open pollination, it is not known whetherthey are viable when self-pollinated. The dehiscence of the new varietyis substantially the same as that of the parent `Vegeta` variety.

Hardiness: Good winter hardiness has consistently been observed. Nodifference in hardiness when compared to the parent `Vegeta` variety hasbeen noted in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 5 at Battle Creek, Mich.,where it has been exposed to temperatures of below -10° F. The newcultivar has not been tested to date in colder U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zones.

Drought tolerance: The cultivar has shown good drought tolerance as hasthe parent `Vegeta` variety. However, even established plants mayrequire irrigation during extended dry periods.

Pests: The new cultivar, as the parent `Vegeta` variety, is susceptibleto serious infestations of scale and should be examined closely for suchpests. All plants preferably are treated with dormant oil spray beforeeach growing season. Also, in early spring, newly opening leaf buds andtender foliage should be examined with a hand lens for immaturecrawlers. For instance, crawlers have been found from early May throughmid-June in southern Michigan. They have been successfully controlledwith Malathion and Orthene insecticides. The new cultivar has shown somesusceptibility to gall as does the parent `Vegeta` variety. This pesthas been successfully treated by cutting out and removing the diseasedpart, or by removing the entire plant if the roots are affected. A plantgrowing in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 10 in May 1997 at Lake Worth,Fla. showed some new growth damage from mealybugs. This location isabout 200 miles south of the southernmost recommended growing region.This result was surprising because plants of the new cultivar growing inMichigan have not shown vulnerability to mealybugs in over three decadesof observations.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Euonymus fortunei having thefollowing combination of characteristics:(a) forms ovate to very broadlyovate and broad elliptic to orbicular leaves having a satiny luster anda leathery texture as the `Vegeta` variety (non-patented in the UnitedStates) which tend to be larger than those of most other Euonymusfortunei plants, (b) forms distinctive wide irregular-whitish-cream orsometimes cream leaf margins which surround and penetrate into marbledgreen and deep forest green leaf centers, (c) forms new growth stems ofgreenish-white which deepen to whitish-green before becoming woody, (d)is less profuse blooming than the `Vegeta` variety, (e) is slowergrowing and somewhat smaller in overall size at a given age than the`Vegeta` variety while exhibiting generally the same climbing andspreading growth habit as the `Vegeta` variety, and (f) exhibits goodwinter hardiness;substantially as illustrated and described.